She loved her job. She loved the adrenalin of being in the field. Platinum would provide no challenges for her other than the growing attraction between her and Blake. Getting too close to Blake was trouble with a capital T. He was a threat to her independence. He was a threat to her resolve to remain single. And she would be a threat to his life. She knew how these scenarios always ended. No she had to stay far away from Blake Tresscott, unless she wanted him to become a statistic just like Brad.

'I can't,' she whispered and hurried away from his unnerving presence.

Over the next weeks she spent minimal time at Platinum. She was pleased that Blake had taken her seriously about the inadequate security. He had raised the wall to four meters. The tree had been cut down. He made a new rule that if ever the cameras went on the blink, four security officials had to immediately investigate and comb the premises for anything that looked untoward. She was also pleased that he had doubled his own security, but she would keep her additional team there for the duration of the week, and stand them down, when she knew the heat was off.

Two days earlier Samantha was in seventh heaven, as the sensation in her right wrist was restored. The muscles began to move and it felt steady again, but she still needed to be cautious, because it was not completely healed yet.

She had doubled up the physiotherapy sessions. She spent an additional hour every morning and evening working on restoring the strength to her right hand. She was itching to get behind the wheel, but Trent was being stubborn like an ox, insisting on driving her everywhere. It would be less strain if she drove her car, than the bike. Perhaps she could go for a short spin, with Trent in the passenger seat. Decisively she picked up the car keys and opened the front door.

'Where do you think you're going?' Blake demanded seeing the keys in her hand.

What is he doing here?

'Can I help you?' she grittered her teeth.

'Are you intending to drive Samantha?'

'Yes,' she mumbled.

He lifted her right wrist, raking his fingers up and down her wrist. She closed her eyes, it was sensual torture what he was doing, surely he knew the effect his mere touch had on her.

'The muscles are working again?' he questioned softly.

He could tell the nerves were working, they were responding like a moth to a flame to his caressing.

'Yes,' she stammered.

'So you think it's wise to start driving so soon?'

'I'm not going to put any strain on it, and I won't go far,' she spoke softly.

'I'll ride with you,' he offered.

She was so pleased that he was not trying to stop her, she flung her arms around his neck excitedly. And when she wisely or unwisely looked up, she found she was locked in an embrace with Blake. When his head lowered, her lips parted, and suddenly they were indulging in a heated, passionate embrace. She pressed into him, her palms caressing his shoulders and sliding down the length of his body, he wrapped his arms around her, releasing her hair from the band that held it together. His fingers caressed her and raked through her hair, he groaned huskily as he continued the long sensuous kiss. Samantha pulled away before things got out of hand. This can't go on. She can't make love with Blake. She needed to find a way to resist him, how she did not know.

'I'm going to inform Trent that we're taking a drive,' she whispered, trying to get out of his arms.

But he would not release her, holding her pinned in his arms, gazing into her eyes. She was sure he could feel her chest rising and falling unable to control her desire for him. He was placing soft feather light kisses on her lips, tormenting her endlessly. And when she pleaded with him to release her eventually, he let go. Trent insisted on following her on the bike. There is safety in numbers. Very carefully she reversed her car out of the garage. It felt good, in fact she felt no strain at all.

'How are you doing?' Blake casually asked.

'Well, very well,' she murmured, her eye on the rearview mirror, watching Trent.

She drove out of their street, took a left turn here, a right turn there, it felt wonderful. She did not know if Trent or Blake would attempt to stop her, if she went onto the primary road exiting their suburb. If you don't try you'll never know. When she indicated her intention, Blake's only reaction was to check the rear view mirror.

No need to panic, she was a skilled driver, having passed three advanced driving courses with flying colours. She exited Sandton, coming down the Marlborough off ramp that would take her onto the N3 highway, spotting a young girl on a bicycle, she veered towards the centre of the lane to allow the cyclist sufficient space. It was then that she saw the SUV behind Trent coming behind him rather too fast. The dark tinted windows, was too much of a coincidence.

Tobias! Damn it, she had a civilian passenger. And not just any civilian!

'Trent, we have company,' she casually spoke into the communicative device attached to Trent's helmet.

'What do you mean?' Blake enquired calmly.

'That vehicle behind Trent, is the criminal, I'm looking for,' she kept her eye trained on the rear view mirror.

'Keep to your left Sierra, I'll cut him off.'

'There's a cyclist in front of me,' Samantha cautioned, the single lane did not accommodate parallel lane driving.

She heard Trent curse, as the SUV drew closer.

'Trent over take me before he rams you off the road,' Samantha instructed calmly.

'Negative Sierra, I'm keeping him away from you.'

'Trent he could ride over you, or put a bullet in you, you have no protection!'

I know what I'm talking about!

'I don't think he'll harm me, he wants you.'

And suddenly the SUV swerved to the left climbing onto the pavement and passed by Trent. The cyclist hearing the commotion swung her head around to see what was going on. They were nearing the steep S bend now. The SUV was trying to force its way behind Samantha. Traffic was building up, oncoming traffic was restricting their movements. Samantha drove in the middle of the two lanes, where oncoming vehicles passed her going in a westerly direction. The SUV was now behind her, it obstructed her view of Trent, but she was concerned about the cyclist in front of her, if Tobias rammed into her back. She wanted to allow the cyclist some leeway so she could deal with Tobias. She reduced speed, Tobias accelerated, aiming to hit her bumper. Samantha swerved to the left then swung the car to the right, confusing Tobias. She wished the cyclist was not around, then she'd climb the pavement and ride on only two wheels.

'Samantha you okay?' Blake checked.

'Yes I'm fine Blake, just hold tight, when the cyclist is out of harm's way I'm going to slam the brakes and take Tobias head on,' she stated.

Blake was learning to trust her judgment and her decision making. She never acted without applying her mind first. Every action was first preceded by planned precision. She only committed to what she was able to achieve. She was a marvelous woman, his Samantha. The road opened up in front of Samantha into two lanes.

'Trent take cover,' she instructed as she hit the accelerator and when she gained enough ground, she held her hand across to hold Blake in position, slammed on the brakes then skillfully made a three hundred and sixty degree turn driving down to meet Tobias head on. She saw Trent climb the pavement, as she raised her firearm and aimed for one of Tobias' tyres. Anticipating
her action, Tobias suddenly swung the car around to the extreme right into the oncoming traffic and managed to slot himself in between the traffic going in the opposite direction. Samantha lifted the hand brake to reduce her speed, and was about to slide behind Tobias, when she saw behind her the cyclist turning to catch the high speed chase, lose her balance, and slide down the steep embankment.

'No! Not now!' Samantha groaned.

It was an easy decision, her conscience decided for her, to abandon the pursuit of the criminal and save the life of the innocent member of the public.

'What is it?' Blake questioned.

'Hold fast again!' Samantha instructed, as she spun the car in the opposite direction again, and when she got to where the cyclist tipped over, she slammed on the brakes and was out the car in a flash. Samantha leaned over the embankment and could see the bicycle but not the rider.

'Hello, can you hear me?' Samantha called out.

There was no answer, only eerie silence. She ran back to her car and pulled out the tow rope from the boot.

'Blake I need you to hoist me down.'

'No. I'll go down,' he offered..

'Let me go down, you can pull me and the cyclist up, when I give the signal.'

He hesitated for a split second, then reluctantly tied the rope around her waist, kissed her on the lips, then lowered her down.

'Be careful Samantha, I want you back in one piece,' he yelled.

She raised her thumb in acknowledgement. Samantha tugged on the rope, and Blake paused. She could see the girl now, lying amongst the rocks. Thank heavens Blake had his wits about him, before he could tie the rope around her, she had heard him call Emergency Services and give the location of where they needed assistance.

Samantha crawled to where the girl lay unconscious. She was a pretty little thing of about sixteen. It was a good thing she still had her helmet on, as Samantha very carefully removed it. Her pulse was steady. She checked her eyes, she was just dazed from the fall, and probably blacked out from the pain. No serious injuries to the upper body, and finally Samantha inspected the leg, which she suspected was broken.

'Trent can you hear me?'

'Loud and clear, Sierra.'

'It's a young girl. She's alive, no serious upper body injuries. We're going to need a stretcher, she has a broken leg.

'Mr. Tresscott has just called Emergency Services again, a helicopter__'

And Trent did not need to finish his sentence.

Within five minutes a stretcher was lowered from the hovering aircraft. Samantha secured the patient, fastened her, and gave the thumbs up to airlift her. She gave the signal to proceed without her, and the helicopter disappeared into the distance.

'You guys want to lift me up?' Samantha called into Trent's earpiece.

And before long they were hauling her up from below. When she got to the top, she was amazed to see like a throng of fifty people gathered there to witness what had happened. When he caught the first glimpse of her, Blake handed the rope to Trent and went to help her up. He hoisted her over the last two or three meters and carefully laid her on the grass.

'You okay?' he asked for the umpteenth time.

'I'm good,' Samantha nodded, 'let's get out of here.'

'How's your arm?' Blake asked.

'You drive,' she hoisted herself on her left arm, and walked towards her car.

Blake touched her on the shoulder, 'did you hurt yourself?'

'I think I may have when I put the young girl onto the stretcher.

'Shall I take you to the hospital,' Blake enquired.

'No, it's not that bad', she replied patiently.

'Are you sure,' he raised her chin so she could look him in the eye.

'I'm sure,' she murmured.

She indicated to Trent that they were leaving, and he hopped onto his bike.

'Boyd?' Samantha radioed back to NPS HQ.

'Come in Sierra.'

'Grey SUV. Registration TMS 849 GP. Heading South on the N3. Can you pick him up?'

'Give me a second.  Boyd scrolled the CCTV on that route.  I have it in sight, the satellite receiver indicates he has just passed the Grey Avenue off ramp, still moving South,' Boyd verified.

He has to be going to hide out in Kwa Zulu Natal.

'Book me on a commercial flight to Durban Boyd. I have a haunch.'

'I could take you in the chopper!' Boyd suggested.

Coastal sunny skies, the perfect tourist laid back environment. She knew just what was on the mind of the beach blonde, blue eyed devil.

'Why waste our resources. I'll check in with our colleagues at the Naval Base,' Samantha tried to gently brush Boyd of.

'You're not going alone Sierra!'

And Blake was listening to all these domestic wranglings

'Boyd, I'm sure Trent shares your sentiment, so book him on the flight as well, over and out,' she snapped of the radio before she heard more arguments.

'I could escort you on my private jet,' Blake offered, when she concluded her conversation.

Not you too. And especially not you. You can't be seen with me.

'This is official business. I can't involve you,' she replied.

'It only becomes official when we land there__'

'Blake please,' she spoke softly.

'Samantha this life you lead is too damn risky!' he raised his voice.

'Don't try to wrap me in cotton wool,' she admonished him with an icy stare.

'Excuse me for caring!' he yelled even louder.

Samantha turned on him, becoming furious. How dare he!

'I knew the risks. I made the choice. I will live with it,' she flung at him.

'Does it bring you joy Samantha? Does it keep you happy? When you go to bed at night __'

'Don't you dare judge me Blake Tresscott,' she was pleased they were driving into her car park again, 'I've made no presumptions about you, so don't try to make any demands on me,' she spat out venomously.

'Perhaps you should have been presumptuous,' Blake leaned over to her, as he cut off the engine.

She was so unnerved by his proximity, she sat there frozen in her seat. She should push him away. Trent was right behind them. She should high tail out of the car, but none of her limbs could move. It was as if she was paralyzed there somehow.

Blake lowered her seat and leaned over, till his chest was draped across her upper body. She felt his rippling muscles press against her breasts. Her nipples burned as if enflamed by searing heat.

'I want you in my life,' he murmured, and then his lips took possession of hers forcing her mouth open, his tongue demanded entry. His lips were cruel but sweetly passionate. How could she resist? Samantha moaned and surrendered helplessly. Her arms wrapped around his neck. She sighed contentedly when his kiss deepened, and his palm caressed over her aching breasts.

Mayday! Mayday!

Samantha tore her lips away, pushing Blake away. God give me sanity, serenity and everything else I need to keep my wits around me, where this man is concerned!

'I have a plane to catch,' she unbuckled her seat belt. She did not know where the calmness or the coldness came from. Blake just stared at her unbelievingly as she opened the passenger door. She wished Blake would get out so she could drive to the airport. She walked the short distance to Trent, to inform him about their plans. Her senses was attuned to Blake in the background. Eventually she heard him start up his own vehicle and drive of.

'We're going to KZN. Park your bike in the garage, whilst I quickly pack, then we'll stop at your place to grab your luggage,' Samantha spoke over her shoulder as she made her way indoors.

'Giuseppe how are you?' Samantha grinned hugging the friendly man with the welcoming and smiling eyes.

'Sam, how are you? It's been ages. I bet Jordan is going to be thrilled.'

'Where is she?' Samantha demanded,

'She'll be here any minute now, he laughed, still in possession of his pronounced Italian accent, after being in South Africa for more than ten years.

'Life's treating you good Giuseppe,' she teased playfully tapping her palm across his barely emerging pot belly.

'It's the good food I cook eh!' Giuseppe smiled.

'And I thought it was the good love I was giving you,' Samantha heard from behind her.

'Jordan,' Samantha hugged her friend, 'wow you're looking great.'

'Thank you,' Jordan laughed, 'you still look so hot and stunning Sam,' she complimented her friend.

Samantha watched as Jordon leaned over to kiss Giuseppe. She marveled at these two. Jordan was the same age as herself. Giuseppe was a good fifteen years older than Jordan, but they were so in love. They had eyes only for each other. Samantha knew Jordan for close on eight years. Jordan started dating Giuseppe some six years ago, and they were still in love, living together but seemed to have no desire to formalize their very concrete relationship. Jordan was quite a looker, natural healthy auburn locks cascading down her shoulders. She was tall and slender, with a boisterous laugh and a healthy appetite for a fun loving life.

Jordan was also a naval officer, highly experienced in many covert operations, with an amazing network of contacts all over Sub Saharan African. They'd met jointly on a covert operation eight years ago and formed a strong friendship. Samantha watched Jordan slipped her fingers into Giuseppe's and smiled into his eyes, then reluctantly dragged her eyes away to smile politely at Samantha.

'So you're going to introduce us or what?' Jordan smiled, as she cast her eye questioningly on Trent.

Samantha turned around to study Trent. He was leaning against the rail, tossing his leather gloves from one hand to the other.

'State issue nanny,' Samantha smirked.

Trent waged a finger at her in mock admonishment.

'Chuck Trent, meet Jordan Bailey and Giuseppe Dante,' Samantha introduced.

'So this is business!' Giuseppe deduced.

Samantha gave him an apologetic smile.

'Cara, I will take my leave,' Giuseppe wrapped his arm possessively around Jordan, took his time to kiss her, then saluted and walked down the stairs into the cabin of his yacht.

'To which criminal do I offer gratitude for the unexpected but very delightful pleasure of your company Sam?'

Samantha laughed, before she answered, 'I'm chasing one annoyingly evasive Errol Tobias,' Samantha offered.

'I read somewhere you put him behind bars,' Jordan raised her eyebrows questioningly.

'You didn't read that he escaped?'

'No. I guess I'm out of touch or losing my touch,' Jordan laughed.

'Where can we talk?' Samantha enquired soberly.

'Let's go downstairs, I'll ask Giuseppe to make us some of those delicious marguerites,' Jordan announced.

'Bit too early in the day, don't you think?' Sam pleaded.

'Nonsense, Marguerites are classical and timeless, like a lady in a cocktail dress and black stilettos, don't you agree Chuck?'

'Don't bother asking him, it was not milk formula his mother fed him in the bottle since the day he was born,' Samantha quipped.

'I have a raging thirst, so I won't say no to the formula,' Trent grinned.

Jordan noted, he did not take her up on her comment about his preference of how a lady held appeal.

Samantha cast a seemingly cursory glance around the Marina , but her photographic memory filed every detail. The ships at bay offloading, the others awaiting the signal to enter the dock. The vehicles around awaiting collection or delivery. Her trained eye missed nothing. The salty smell of the ocean tinged her nostrils combined with the aquatic vegetation growing around the harbour, as she descended the stairway.

Jordan walked up to Giuseppe, her hand placed casually on his chest, murmured something, to which he nodded accent. She led Samantha and Trent to the settees and waited patiently for Samantha to fill her in.

'As you're aware, I busted Tobias for his association with the drug cartel he's involved in,' Samantha began.

Jordan nodded.

'Since his escape, I've been putting the heat on him trying to force him out in the open again, but he just seems to be two steps ahead of me,' Samantha informed her with a little more than a trace of irritation.

'Still like to take them head on, Sam' Jordan grinned

'Tobias has decided to rise to the occasion, he's made two attempts on me,' she filled Jordan in, 'the first time I found him awaiting me inside my apartment. This morning he attempted to run me of the road.'

And I was not alone!

'Wow,' Jordon shook her head, 'you've really got this guy spitting mad.'

'I almost had him this morning,' she raised her thumb and fore finger in the air, thinking about how close she had been to capsizing Tobias' vehicle.

'Knowing you Sam, now that you've invited him out into the open, you're going to up the ante!' Jordan accurately predicted.

'Thank you Giuseppe,' Samantha accepted the potent drink and placed it on the side table.

She watched Jordan take a generous sip, smile her thanks at Giuseppe, and also place her glass next to Samantha's. Trent nursed his in his hand, then ran the glass across his forehead.

The low altitude and heat was stifling in Durban at any time of the year to any visitor, but Samantha was immune to the weather, whether it was forty degrees Celsius or minus twenty degrees Celsius. She adapted to any environment, her excruciating training ensured that. And Samantha knew so could Jordan. She had accepted an invitation from Jordan once to undertake a covert expedition to Alaska for six weeks. If Samantha went there as a novice, the temperatures of close to minus forty degrees put paid to that, and she was accredited with a certificate for outstanding achievement for a non naval officer.

'My intel informs me, that Tobias has some business interest with a Chinese vessel that's docking here tonight at twenty two hundred hours,' Samantha informed Jordan.

'You don't actually need me now do you Sam?' Jordan laughed.

Samantha smiled wryly, 'I do need some assistance,' she ventured.

'The one man demolition derby needs assistance, this I have to hear,' Jordan teased.

'I guess you know her intimately,' Trent spoke boldly, but his sarcasm was not missed.

Samantha gave him an icy stare, he just raised his glass in response.

'I need a speed boat, access to navigation data and you on standby in your helicopter,' Samantha requested of Jordan.

Jordan guardedly locked eyes with Samantha. 'You don't think to inform the harbour police Sam, you're in their territory?'

Samantha held her gaze unwaveringly, 'this is national Jordan. I have a warrant for Tobias. And I have the necessary authority to command all and any resources I require. I know Tobias throws his money at corrupt officials to look the other way. With the amount of corruption in the force, I'm not sure whom I can trust, and I won't take the risk. So I'll do this my way,' Samantha finished decisively.

Samantha needed her friend's assistance. There were not many people she trusted, but she trusted Jordan explicitly, though she would not beg for her help with Tobias, she'd go it alone if she had to.

Jordan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, 'Very well, the boat and the helicopter is yours to command, no problem,' Jordan spoke quietly. 'The surveillance data, I will have to request. Intelligence is immediately alerted when anyone accesses the system,' Jordan remarked.

'So how will you get away with it?' Trent enquired.

Samantha and Jordan exchanged glances. Samantha knew her friend would be calling in some favour somewhere to get her the intel.

'I owe you,' Samantha raised her glass, and unwisely downed the contents in one long swallow.

She coughed and wrinkled her nose in disgust as she replaced the glass.

'Has nobody yet educated you on this fine art?' Jordan laughed.

I had a crash course on red wine or Rose wine or something like that last week!

'I obviously don't spend as much time with you as I should,' Samantha coughed and smiled, she could feel the alcohol knock at her temples.

'Giuseppe, how about some of your very fine coffee?' Samantha yelled, as Jordan excused herself to make a call.

'Sam, my sources tell me Tobias, is very well protected by a local Chinese Mafia network,' Jordan informed Samantha.

'The Fiery Marlin Clan, yes I'm aware,' Samantha replied unperturbed.

'Sam let me arrange backup__'

'No Jordan, that's not necessary,' Samantha cut her off.

'Very well Sam, I hope I feature in your will,' Jordan tossed irritatedly.

Samantha gave her friend a half smile that vanished as quickly as it appeared. Guiseppe served them and joined in, in the most delicious veal tagliatelle in a delicious creamy white sauce. The conversation was very general sticking to music, current affairs and the latest show they caught at the theatre. Giuseppe was the only Italian, that Samantha knew, who had an aversion for Opera. Come to think of it, she did not really know that many Italians.

At twenty hundred hours, Samantha begged leave to rest, before her later date with destiny. Samantha and Jordan exchanged glances.

'I'll be on alert and await your call,' Jordan murmured.

Samantha nodded, as she hugged her friends before she and Trent departed the yacht.

'I'm going to my hotel to rest,' Samantha informed Trent.

'I'll walk you to your door,' he called her bluff.

Trent had rented them two bikes, when they had landed in Durban. She had had no intention of resting. She knew an insider in the Fiery Marlin Gang, she wanted to chat to him.

'I'm taking the leisurely route, via the quayside,' Samantha informed him grudgingly.

'Just as I thought,' Trent winked, slipping on his helmet, 'after you,' he waved, 'as he brought the powerful motor alive.

He had wanted to rent a single bike, that could seat two, but Samantha was adamant on two bikes and she had been very specific of the horsepower she wanted out of the machine. On her own, she could get away with some discreet surveillance, but with Trent, they were bound to attract attention and raise suspicion.

Samantha rode her bike as if she was a casual tourist, seeming not to pay too much unnecessary attention, and Trent was doing exactly the same. To the unobservant or unsuspicious, they could be two friends or lovers. Samantha raised a finger pointing to a factory that was unguarded, Trent nodded. They rode in cautiously, Samantha's hand was ready to draw her firearm if needed. They killed their engines simultaneously.

'What are we doing here Sierra?' Trent spoke softly into his communicative device.

'This is where the off loading from the vessel will occur,' Samantha responded softly back to him.

It looked empty and without any security or personnel right now, but Samantha guessed that in two hours from now the place will become a hive of activity. She was about to disembark from her bike, when she was alerted by a menacing looking black SUV riding straight for her.

'Let's split up,' she barked into her device and with supersonic speed, she was high tailing it out of there.

                -end Chapter Seven-